THE Ernst & Young report to City of Newcastle concerning the Supercars event ("Supercars delivers on investment", Newcastle Herald 25/10).has shown, financially, council's decision to continue the event has been correct. It also seems likely Labor will retain power after the upcoming elections. I base my forecast for two reasons. Firstly, I believe that the Newcastle Independents group has virtually been torpedoed by Kath Elliott's recent suspension. Then, we have the Liberals' differing views ("Libs divided on bins, race", Herald 23/10) on possibly what are the two most controversial topics at the present time: putting a stop to the Supercars and, probably, most important to ratepayers, a fortnightly collection for garbage.
Robert Tacon, Adamstown Heights
It's fine ... if it's not near you
LORD mayor, let Supercars race past your house and see how your neighbours feel. Metres from heritage houses without compensation and restricted movement from your house. Sure your neighbours wouldn't allow it.
Bruce Cook, Adamstown
Did race have role in revenue hit?
I BELIEVE the City of Newcastle is only telling half the story, ("City takes $8.5m Delta hit", Herald 21/10). I don't dispute the figures which CoN released showing that revenue has been foregone, but I believe what hasn't been publicly revealed is how much was saved by not hosting the Supercars race. The council has never released the true costs of staging this event. As far as I can tell they are deeply buried in the annual budget figures. All we can go on is what it has cost other cities to host such an event. When SA Premier Steven Marshall put the kibosh on the Adelaide 500 in 2020, he is reported as saying that the budget for the Supercars race has been well north of $10 million for an extended period of time. If the Adelaide four-day race was costing so much each year, then you'd think Newcastle's three-day race wouldn't be far behind. Prove me wrong.
Les Brennan, Newcastle East
Keep forests out of firing line
IT is alarming to see a plan to burn our NSW forests to make electricity, such as the proposal by Redbank near Singleton.
The NSW government recently moved to encourage far more renewable electricity sources in our state from truly renewable formats such as solar, wind and pumped hydro and was very successful with many investors and projects coming on board. We therefore have no need to burn our forests.
Burning our forests creates carbon emissions and no clever wordplay can deny that. It is not a clean power supply. With worsening climate change and the loss of important habitats and threats to species, our forests have an important role to play in supporting our unique wildlife and acting as a carbon sink. If we choose to cut timber, let it be to build houses or other useful structures that last for years and hold carbon, rather than for a moment in a furnace.
Consider also the health impacts on locals as burning wood releases more hazardous air pollutants in an area already significantly affected by air pollution from coal power production and coal mines. I urge the NSW government to say no to burning forests to make electricity and to shut down the market for native forests to be burned in power stations. The state government should no longer class burning our forests as eligible for energy credits.
Kim Grierson, Teralba
We can't close the path to progress
JOHN Cooper, (Letters, 21/10), developed countries have belched billions of tons of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. When world leaders collectively decided that action needed to be taken to prevent the world from becoming uninhabitable due to global warming, they recognised that the developing countries could not cut back their emissions to the same extent as the developed countries while they were developing the infrastructure the developed countries already had. No one was, or is, being "outplayed" by the developing countries.
India and China have been lifting many millions of people out of poverty. In the process, China has made significant improvements in its energy efficiency. Ironically, Australia, one of the richest countries in the world, and one of the highest producers of greenhouse gases per capita in the world, would not sign up to the Kyoto agreement unless it was granted special conditions.
Australia is predicted to be one of the countries most adversely affected by global warming but is not currently making its fair share of the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Power outages in Britain are due to a fire affecting a power cable from France.
Reg Howes, Valentine
Don't swamp us with new mines
BEFORE COVID I travelled to Dunn Swamp for a family holiday. If you have ever been there, you would appreciate what a magical place it is. This is why I was shocked to discover that our government is considering turning it into a coal mine. While my friends at the Hunter Valley grapple with the inevitable transition away from coal, the NSW government is planning to plunge other communities into the same predicament.
Communities in the Hunter know that they should be transitioning to new industries now before the energy companies decide that it is no longer profitable to invest in coal and their jobs disappear. It is unbearable to think that the NSW government is planning to establish new coalfields near Dunn Swamp, right next door to the Wollemi National Park in the Blue Mountains, and sacrifice our beautiful landscape and more local communities to an industry with no future. In a few days, leaders from around the world will gather in Glasgow to accelerate climate action. In line with the objectives of COP26, I call on the NSW government to protect the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area from the devastating impacts of mining, so that generations to come could enjoy this special place.
Ronny Eidels, Eleebana
Taxing the sun isn't the answer
A GOVERNMENT trying to act responsibly often taxes things that they wish to discourage the use of cigarettes and alcohol. Our state government is beating its chest over waiving stamp duty on new electric cars. In 2027 they plan to increase the registration costs for these vehicles .This is to make up for loss of revenue from fuel excise.
This may prove counterproductive in the long term .If someone charges their electric vehicle using electricity generated by their rooftop solar panels this amounts to the state government taxing the sun.
In the near future we are being told that many vehicles will be autonomous. Will our state government then increase registration costs further to make up for the loss of revenue from traffic infringements. Once a government becomes hooked on a revenue stream they are often reluctant to let it go.
Raymond Anderson, Clarence Town
SHORT TAKES
I BELIEVE womens' cricket to be the most exciting game of recent times. We were fortunate to have been able to watch the series against India on free-to-air TV and then the first games of the WBBL. This week the WBBL is ongoing but it is not telecast, nor, from what I can gather, broadcast. Why not? Cricket Australia should be promoting this form of the great game, as often as it can. Come on Cricket Australia, get your act together and negotiate better TV rights.
Stan Keifer, Arakoon
JOHN Cooper (Letters, 21/10). How dare you inject realism into the Glasgow climate conference debate. Holding this conference in the absence of China and India is like having a wedding reception without the bride and groom, nothing but blah blah blah.
Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth
A MESSAGE to all these anti-vaxxers; I'd like to see you in any of the Armed Forces.
David Davies, Blackalls Park
SO they say the climate wars are over. How good is Queensland! Instead of the war being over, I see old battle grounds being revisited. However, this time it is not Bob Brown and his convoy of geriatrics, but the EU, UK and USA saying no more new major coal explorations or there will be economic consequences.
George Horton, Cooranbong
IN reading of the plight of TAFE teachers dudded out of permanent employment, ("Casual teachers 'gutted'", Newcastle Herald 22/10), it was interesting to note that, although the NSW Teachers Federation spokesperson was, the management and spokesperson of TAFE were not named. So, who are the producers of these meal- mouthed weasel words? What are their pay packets and conditions?
Peter Ronne, Woodberry
PETER Sansom (Short Takes, 22/10) the lower Hunter is Australia's most motorised region. So, small buses, running frequently, on a grid route system, together with Wes Trans, would be a smart move. An inclusiveness boon for the independence of our disabled people.
Graeme Tychsen, Toronto
HUMAN beings can be very scary, Dave Wilson, (Short Takes, 22/10), also the government and religion. There is nothing to fear about a creator or Jesus.
Julie Robinson, Cardiff
THE best eye-opening letters to the editor I have read (Letters, 21/10).Thank you.
Peter Selmeci, Murrays Beach
HOW can City of Newcastle justify spending money revamping Nobbys Club House and not include basins with soap in their renovations? What a disgrace.
Kim Melick, Merewether Heights
CALLUM Pull, you misunderstand the issue for Ward 4 voters, ("Libs divided on bins, race", Herald 23/10). It's not the Art Gallery that is behind barricades for 8 weeks every Supercars event, but the city's beaches, local cafes and the Foreshore Park. These are well utilised by your potential constituents who are put off coming into the city during this time - all for the sake of a vocal minority.
